In today’s world, the two Ps are of the utmost importance – Preparation & Protection. As we all now know, the world can get flipped upside down in the snap of a finger, and once panic sets in, keeping your firearms 100% secure is critical. In this guide, we share five of the best fireproof gun safes on the market that fall into several categories.
Whether you’re shopping for a fireproof gun safe on a budget, a small safe, extreme duty, or even a waterproof model, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to consider the tags in the table below when browsing the specs under the description column. This way, you get a clear idea of what the top safe in each category has to offer and whether it matches your needs.
Below, we’ll get started with our custom Top 5 chart before moving along to the reviews of each safe. By the end of the guide, you’ll know for sure which safe is for you and have a clearer understanding of what’s currently on the market.
| Safe | Description |
| #1) Steelwater Extreme Duty 45 Long Gun Safe
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| #2) Blue Dot Safes Second Amendment Fire-Resistant Gun Safe
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| #3) Steelwater Heavy Duty 22 Long Gun Safe
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| #4) Steelwater Home & Document Safe
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| #5) SentrySafe Digital Fire/Water Safe
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The Best Desiccant for Fireproof Gun Safes
Two of the top fireproof safe brands are Steelwater and Blue Dot, with Steelwater offering the most options. One of the reasons that it’s not easy to track down fireproof gun safes is the internal moisture issue. To prevent damaging your firearms, documents, or other valuables that are prone to moisture damage, it’s important to consider the following tip.
Below is a good rechargeable desiccant that contains 750 grams of silica gel. This is a great option for protecting guns against moisture in one of the larger fireproof gun safes in our chart above:
Below is a 40-gram desiccant option similar to the canister above for smaller gun safes:
Now, let’s take a closer look at the safes in our Top 5 in the reviews below. Each review has all the information you need to make your final decision an easy one.
Fireproof Gun Safe Reviews
In each review, we share the most important highlights to consider along with the most important drawbacks. Also, we add the pros & cons to consider before you buy a fireproof gun safe for your home.
#1) Steelwater Extreme Duty 45 Long Gun Safe GS593625
For long gun owners and gun owners who want a diesel fireproof gun safe that’ll last for generations, Steelwater Gun Safes is one of the best options. Steelwater’s new extreme duty gun safe is one of the most secure on the market with its 9 gauge steel construction. Keep in mind, this safe weighs over a half-ton, so depending on where you plan to install it, it’s important to have everything situated at home before the delivery truck arrives.
Another reason this is the best fireproof gun safe is the slew of security features. Several of the security features we like are the 1/4″ solid steel plate added to the door, the gear-drive linkage systems to protect against the most common types of theft including drill attacks, long 1.5″ locking bolts, and two internal re-locking devices in the event the lock is punched. Also, the latest Steelwater safe models come equipped with an E.M.P. proof digital keypad with a bypass key. Plus, there’s a new optional X3 Biometric EMP Proof Lock, which makes this safe easily the best fireproof biometric gun safe.
As far as internal organization, this safe has its competitors beat. The interior sports two full-length shelves and six small shelves. One design touch we like is the addition of steel u-channel plates in the long shelves to prevent sagging. Next, you get a door organizer for storing pistols and other valuables for easier access. Lastly, the automatic interior LED lighting makes locating your weapon of choice easier at night. All in all, this is an extremely secure gun safe with lots of options to suit every gun owner’s needs.
Pros
- One of the most heavy-duty fireproof gun safes on the market made with 9 gauge steel
- 2-Hour fire rating is double the length of most other fire safes
- The best large fireproof gun safe for the money
- Great customer service from Steelwater
- More than enough room to store your guns and all of your other valuables
- A good budget alternative to expensive Fort Knox and Summit gun safes
- A new EMP-proof digital keypad with a double-bitted bypass key
- Lifetime fire & burglary warranty along with a 1-year warranty on parts & labor
Cons
- It’s more safe than most gun owners need
- It takes up the most room of the safes in our guide
- Made in China
#2) Blue Dot Safes Second Amendment Fire-Resistant Gun Safe GS593625
Bluedot is another safe company we like that sells its reliable line of budget Second Amendment safes. Compared to Steelwater, you get most of the same features for a lower cost. Bluedot’s GS593625 model has 30 rifle slots, which is more than Steelwater’s model LD593024-EMP, and at the time of this writing, Bluedot’s safe is more affordable.
Similar to Steelwater safes, Bluedot offers excellent internal organization for your guns and valuables. The door organizer features ample zip pockets, velcro enclosures, and eight pistol sleeves. The safe’s main interior has a roomy top shelf, loads of spaces for long guns, and multiple shelves to hold valuables. You may even want to consider adding additional fireproof bags for your more important documents and firearms.
As far as security and fire rating, Bluedot model GS593625 is right on par with Steelwater’s LD593024-EMP. Both safes feature heavy-duty 12 gauge steel and a 1-hour fire rating, with Steelwater’s safe holding a higher temperature rating. Several final features to keep your mind at ease are the Bluedot spring-loaded re-locker that locks the safe in the event of a punch attack, a lock plate to protect against drill attacks, full-length anti-pry bars, and Bluedot safes are made in the USA.
Pros
- Excellent value for the money
- More spacious than Steelwater’s model LD593024-EMP
- Made in the USA (Pomona, CA)
- Protected by a tough scratch-resistant black powder coat
- Well-built all around with high-quality materials
- Excellent customer service with free shipping
- 1-year warranty with affordable warranty extension options
- The quality of the interior is comparable to much more expensive safes
Cons
- No hole to feed an electric cord for a dehumidifier or light
- The holes at the bottom of the pistol sleeves are tight for some guns
#3) Steelwater Heavy Duty 22 Long Gun Safe LD593024-EMP
Steelwater’s model LD593024-EMP is essentially a smaller version of model HD724228, and at the time of this writing, it costs about half the price. The interior organization is very similar to what you’ll find in Bluedot’s safe above with plenty of room to store long guns, pistols, and any other valuables. You also get the same type of door organizer that’s featured in Steelwater’s HD724228 safe.
One difference between Bluedot’s and Steelwater’s top shelf is the addition of u-channel clips and steel shelving clips to prevent sagging. You’ll find that you can really load up the shelves in a Steelwater safe with heavy items and feel more comfortable about it. Additionally, we like that Steelwater safes feature an automatic interior LED light and the option to install a biometric lock to turn even the largest safe into a quick-access gun safe.
One drawback that does turn people off about Steelwater safes is that they are made in China. However, we’ve done our due diligence, and we feel confident that Steelwater offers a quality safe at a budget price. The company is 100% transparent about designing its safes in America, manufacturing them in China, and inspecting each unit in America before shipping them out. Lastly, the excellent warranty terms are enough to set anyone’s mind at ease.
Pros
- Mostly the same security features as the extreme HD724228 model for a significantly more affordable price
- Weighs less than half of what the HD724228 model weighs and takes up less room for people tighter on space
- Updated 1.5″ locking bolts for beefed up security against pry attacks
- The 8X drill-resistant hard plate that protects all of the safe’s internal locking components
- The pistol sleeves are strong enough to hold heavy handguns
- Solid and smooth-functioning door
Cons
- Not American made
- The steel is 12 gauge rather than 9 featured in the HD724228
#4) Steelwater Home & Document Safe (SWEL-310 and SWD-310)
The final Steelwater safe in our guide is this little thing of beauty that’s designed as a home safe. Other than the excellent price, we love this safe because it’s one of the only home safes in this price category that’s 2-hour fire-rated at 1850°F. Compared to SentrySafe fire safes, we feel this model by Steelwater delivers better value for the money, and it’s an overall more secure safe.
There are currently two versions of this safe available, the SWEL-310 and SWD-310 models. The difference is the SWEL-310 sports an electronic keypad, and the SWD-310 features a combination dial lock. The clear advantage of choosing the SWEL-310 model over the SWD-310 is quicker access to your handguns.
Inside the safe, you’ll find a removable top tray with 1.5″ depth, a 1/2″ diameter anchor hole, and two active rectangular locking bolts that are sturdier than most safes in this price range. The total interior capacity is .52 cubic feet, which is about half as much as the SentrySafe in our guide offers, and considering the Steelwater safe does cost more, that’s definitely something to consider. However, it’s important to consider that the Steelwater safe is more heavy-duty than the SentrySafe since it weighs almost just as much.
Pros
- The solid steel rectangular locking bolts provide excellent security
- Great value for the money
- 2-hour fire rating beats competing safes in this price range
- Reliable operation from the digital keypad
- Solid all-around construction
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Less spacious than the SentrySafe and more costly
- No override key
#5) SentrySafe Digital Fire/Water Safe SFW123GDC
The final safe in our guide is our favorite fire safe by SentrySafe, and it’s certainly the best fireproof waterproof gun safe for the money. Compared to the Steelwater model above, you get more interior capacity and organization options for a significantly lower cost. Inside the SentrySafe, there’s an adjustable locking drawer that also functions as a shelf that we really like for an added layer of security, albeit minimal, but it is there to enhance the overall internal organization.
In addition to the locking drawer, there’s a key rack, door tray, and deep door pocket. Another feature we like in this safe that’s not in the Steelwater SWEL-310 is an integrated interior light for clear visibility in the dark. The door features four 1″ locking bolts and a pry-resistant hinge bar for greater security. Additionally, bolt-down hardware is included with the base package for easy installation out of the box.
Finally, let’s discuss the biggest highlight of this safe, which is the fact that it’s waterproof. According to SentrySafe, the safe is ETL verified water-resistant for up to 24 hours in up to 8″ of water. That’s a feature that’s certainly hard to find in most fire safes, especially in this price range. Plus, the safe holds a UL classified 1-hour fire rating up to 1700°F. All things considered, this is a feature-rich fireproof safe being sold for an affordable price that’s not quite as heavy-duty as Steelwater or Bluedot safes.
Pros
- Several sizes to choose from ranging from .82 cu ft to 2.05 cu ft
- UL classified and ETL verified for protection against fire and water damage
- Roomier than the Steelwater SWEL-310 for a more affordable price
- Backlit keypad and interior light for quick access at night
- High customer service marks
Cons
- Not as heavy-duty or secure as Steelwater or Bluedot safes
- Some complaints about the quality of the locking mechanism
- A plastic handle
Bottom Line
Before making your final decision, be sure to consider the most important features in our collection of the best fireproof gun safes. If you value security and plan to store your most valuable possessions and firearms inside the safe, it’s best to stick with Steelwater or Bluedot. Both brands may cost less than Summit or Fort Knox safes, but they deliver excellent quality for the money.
If your heart is set on a fireproof waterproof safe, SentrySafe sells one of the most affordable models on the market, however, it’s important to consider that a SentrySafe is easier to break into than a Steelwater or Bluedot safe. Depending on whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll most likely find that investing in a more secure safe is the better long-term investment for the safety of your family and your firearms/valuables.
